COUNCILLORS have been appointed to new roles following the sudden resignation of a cabinet member last month.

Cllr Debbie Newall resigned from the Labour party for "entirely personal" reasons costing the party its majority.

She will remain on the planning committee as an independent councillor.

However, her fellow ward councillor John Byrne will replace her on the health and wellbeing board while Cllr Shamim Abdullah will take her place on the primary care commissioning committee.

Cllr Ann Cunliffe is the new champion for mental health and has been appointed to the adults and health policy development group and older peoples partnership board.

Meanwhile, the adult social care portfolio will now be divided between council leader Linda Thomas and Cllr Cunliffe.

Cllr Thomas said: “Debbie continues to be a good friend and colleague, and as with our other independents we will continue that good working relationship in the interest of every town in Bolton.”